A “digital nomad” is a person who works remotely using technology and combines this with travel and living in different parts of the world. Despite the decline in the remote work trend, digital nomads remain an increasing group of highly mobile experts. Up until now digital nomads could reside in Bulgaria only on short-term basis (90 days every 180 days) which is no longer the case.
Legislative changes: Long-term residence in Bulgaria is granted normally for 1 year (with prolongation options) under specific circumstances which did not fit the digital nomad profile. With recent changes to the Foreigners Act and especially to the rules for its implementation, a new type of residence permit was introduced to enable digital nomads to reside in Bulgaria on long-term basis.
For the purposes of the new digital nomad residence permit (DNRP) the law defines 3 categories of digital nomads:
- A digital nomad who is hired by an employer registered outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and provides to it services from a distance using information technologies;
- A digital nomad who is the statutory representative, member of the management body, owner, shareholder owning more than 25% of the registered capital of a company registered outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland via which company the digital nomad provides services from a distance using information technologies and does not work/provide services to persons/entities in Bulgaria;
- A digital nomad who provides personally services from a distance using information technologies for a period no less than 1 year prior to the date of filing the application and does not work/provide services to persons/entities in Bulgaria and does not carry out freelancing activities in Bulgaria.
The 3 categories of digital nomads present different documents proving the respective circumstances, but the set always includes 1) proof for average annual income for the previous calendar year in the amount of no less than 50 minimum monthly wages (as of January 2026 amounting to a total of EUR 31,010); and 2) a landlord declaration for a leased property where they will reside during their stay in Bulgaria.
The validity of the DNRP is 1 year and can be prolonged by 1 more year.
The procedure for obtaining the DNRP involves the following steps:
- The DNRP applicant files an application for a visa D in their country of nationality or legal residence – D visa is always required, even for applicants who are free of short-term visa requirements. The application is reviewed in 1 – 2 months;
- After obtaining the visa D and entering Bulgaria with it, in order to be granted residence, the DNRP applicant files the same documents, along with a scan of the issued visa. The term for reviewing the set is 2 – 4 weeks;
- After a positive resolution on the residence filing, the DNRP applicant applies for their ID card which can be issued in 3, 10, or 30 days depending on the chosen service.
Conclusion: With the legislative amendments Bulgaria is opening to a trendy perspective group of foreigners. Digital Nomad World (one of the popular platforms) classifies Sofia as “one of the new discoveries on the map of the digital nomads”, and the new DNRP should strengthen Bulgaria’s position.
By Ilina Maltzeva, Associate, Boyanov & Co
